Zilzie

The last entry for this trip was not too funny at the time, but certainly should be included.

Every now and then while travelling something will happen that is not expected. You can get all het up or smile and think "It's great to be alive".

My engineer friends all know what a venturi is. When they work, they really suck... Literally. The effect is caused when high pressure air encounters a low pressure. The lower pressure is drawn in to create an air flow. That's an oversimplification but basically a stream of air can suck in other air.

We had decided to do the gravel run from Burdekin Falls Dam to Mount Coolon and then from there to Lake Elphinstone. The first section was tediously slow with epic bulldust in places. We got to Mt Coolon OK, had lunch and checked out the old mining engines and chimney.

A quick check of the van and we continued on. A reasonable trip, a bit faster but very corrugated in places. We even spotted a couple of emus and a few other birds. Eventually we arrived late afternoon at Lake Elphinstone and parked the van.

Then we noticed one window hatch had opened. It became a venturi and turned our van into a giant hoover. We had been vacuuming the dusty road for a good many kilometers. Dust had been sucked in the door vent and made it way out the window. Well some of it had. Much was left in the van. On the floor just inside in a heap and liberally dusted over my bed.

It took quite a while to clean up. Not funny then but makes a good story.

Till the next trip, au revoir.Read more